Qualities of a Team Player - DISCIPLINED

We are continuing to learn and grow in 2014 by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #7: Disciplined - where there's a will, there's a win.

"What we do on some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self-discipline." - H.P. Liddon

"Discipline is the refining fire by which talent becomes ability." - Roy L. Smith

Discipline is doing what you really don't want to do so that you can do what you really want to do.

To become the kinds of players that teams want, people must develop discipline in three areas. They must possess:

1. Disciplined Thinking
   1. If you keep your mind active, regularly take on mental challenges and continually think about the right things, you will develop the disciplined thinking that will help you with whatever you endeavor to do.
2. Disciplined Emotions
   1. People have just two choices when it comes to their emotions: they can master their emotions or be mastered by them.
   2. That doesn't mean that to be a good team player, you have to turn off your feelings. But it does mean that you shouldn't let your feelings prevent you from doing what you should or drive you to do things you shouldn't.
3. Disciplined Actions
   1. Action separates the winners from the losers.
   2. "Parties who want milk should not seat themselves on a stool in the middle of the field and hope that the cow will back up to them." - Albert Hubert

To improve your discipline:

• Strengthen your work habits
• Take on a challenge
• Tame your tongue

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc

Qualities of a Team Player - DEPENDABLE

We are continuing to learn and grow in 2014 by developing teamwork skills utilizing the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 17 Essential Qualities of a Team Player. This book carries the subtitle “Becoming the kind of person every team wants”. Developing a better team always begins with the individuals. To improve the team, improve the individuals on the team.

Quality #6: Dependable - teams go to "go-to" players.

"Fear not those who argue but those who dodge." - Wolfram Von Eschenbach

"Dependability is more than ability alone." - John C. Maxwell

Never underestimate the long-reaching benefits that being dependable can bring.

The following is the essence of dependability:

1. Pure Motives
   1. I try to keep my motives right, and I encourage my teammates to do likewise.
   2. However, if someone on the team continually puts himself and his agenda ahead of what's best for the team, he has proven himself to be undependable.
   3. When it comes to teamwork, motives matter.
2. Responsibility
   1. Dependable team members possess the desire to do the things that they are capable of doing.
3. Sound Thinking
   1. Dependability means more than just wanting to take responsibility. That desire must also be coupled with good judgment to be of real value to the team.
4. Consistent Contribution
   1. Consistency takes more than talent.
   2. It takes depth of character that enables people to follow through - no matter how tired, distracted, or overwhelmed they are.
   3. "It is not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required." - Winston Churchill

To improve your dependability:

• Check your motives
• Discover what your word is worth
• Find someone to hold you accountable

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc